Worcester police say body believed to be Karen Solomon found near hospital after officer's death
Police identified a body found in a wooded area near Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital as likely that of Karen Solomon, following the earlier death of her husband, Officer Kurt Solomon. A murder-suicide is being investigated.
Police Chief Paul Saucier said a body discovered Monday afternoon in a wooded area off May Street, close to Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, is believed to be Karen Solomon. Two hospital workers who were walking found the remains and alerted authorities. The police also recovered a handgun near the site, which Saucier confirmed does not belong to Officer Kurt Solomon.
Kurt Solomon, 57, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department, was found dead on Aug. 18 at his home on Wildwood Avenue. A warrant for his wife on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon was issued the following day. A wake for the officer will be held Tuesday at Our Lady of the Angels Church, with a funeral scheduled for Wednesday.
"(He) just had a great way about himself, you know? Very calm, very easy going. Just a true gentleman," said Thomas Duffy, president of the Worcester Police Officer's Union, adding that Solomon’s two adult sons have lost both parents.
The search for Karen Solomon initially focused on Coes Reservoir, prompting the city to close nearby recreational areas. Divers were active in the reservoir on Monday.
In a statement read by Chief Saucier, the Solomon family thanked first responders and the community for their support. The chief described the incident as a domestic matter with no prior history of family violence and said investigators believe it is a murder-suicide.
"It’s been very difficult on the department and it will continue to be. Now that we have somewhat closure, this is really when it’s going to affect the men and women of the police department," Saucier said, noting that mental-health resources are available for officers.